The Citadel And VMI application essays

As I was filling out my Citadel application I ran into some trouble and was wondering if any one could help me out. Im having the hardest time finding the essay portion of the application.. is there an essay portion?

I'm also having trouble finding an essay for VMI

Could someone please point me in the right direction

Also, is it better to apply online or send in your application via mail?

To send the VMI essay, should I send it to the admissions office? Should there be some sort of cover letter, or just as is?

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Unless directly contra-indicated in the instructions, you should treat your college communications as business correspondence. That means a formal cover letter. It may not be "required" but think about it: You are trying to make an impression here.

Just a quick question concerning the Citadel application. Would the section requesting two references be the substitute for letters of recommendation? I'm not sure if I should send in the letters of recommendation along with the two references.

I wouldn't send in anything that's not asked for, or required, or recommended. If it doesn't mention sending in recommendations, then don't send in recommendations. If you're at the bottom of the list for a spot, and someone is fighting you for that spot, and they followed instructions perfectly, and you sent in something not asked for, I guarantee that other person will get the spot. I don't understand why people send in stuff that's not asked for explicitly, whether it be optional or required.

I wouldn't send in anything that's not asked for, or required, or recommended. If it doesn't mention sending in recommendations, then don't send in recommendations. If you're at the bottom of the list for a spot, and someone is fighting you for that spot, and they followed instructions perfectly, and you sent in something not asked for, I guarantee that other person will get the spot. I don't understand why people send in stuff that's not asked for explicitly, whether it be optional or required.

Follow instructions, you're going to a military school.

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I could not disagree more with this statement. The admissions staff are looking at literally a few thousand applications and trying to decide who to give appointments to. At VMI, at least, they're looking at 2100 or so apps, rejecting 50% or so, and offering appointments to about 1000 expecting that about 50% of that 1000 are going to actually show up.

If you really and truly want to go to school there, then you ought to make it known to them that you are serious and are willing to go the extra mile. Absolutely DO NOT do the bare minimum. Unlike when you start at school (where optional means you don't do it), if there is an option you had darn well better take it.

So, particularly if you think you might be on the bubble, you should absolutely be certain to send in the essay, send in letters of recommendation, or anything else within reason that will allow them to look at you as an individual who would be successful rather than just a name, an SAT score, and a GPA. Meet the admissions people at the new cadet events. Make them remember you.

When I was applying to law school, the conventional wisdom at one well-regarded public school was that the admissions folks would fill their class by waitlisting a ton of people without putting them in any particular order, and then the people that put in the most effort after being waitlisted to contact them, send in additional materials, etc., were the ones that got in.

It's not boot camp. It is a college that wants to admit the best people that it possibly can. Prove to them that you have what it takes to succeed and that you want to be there. If you want it, take it.

When in doubt, contact your admissions counselor. Not only will they be able to give you the best answer, but the fact that you took the initiative to ask will help them remember you when it comes time to make the final admission decisions.

I could not disagree more with this statement. The admissions staff are looking at literally a few thousand applications and trying to decide who to give appointments to. At VMI, at least, they're looking at 2100 or so apps, rejecting 50% or so, and offering appointments to about 1000 expecting that about 50% of that 1000 are going to actually show up.

If you really and truly want to go to school there, then you ought to make it known to them that you are serious and are willing to go the extra mile. Absolutely DO NOT do the bare minimum. Unlike when you start at school (where optional means you don't do it), if there is an option you had darn well better take it.

So, particularly if you think you might be on the bubble, you should absolutely be certain to send in the essay, send in letters of recommendation, or anything else within reason that will allow them to look at you as an individual who would be successful rather than just a name, an SAT score, and a GPA. Meet the admissions people at the new cadet events. Make them remember you.

When I was applying to law school, the conventional wisdom at one well-regarded public school was that the admissions folks would fill their class by waitlisting a ton of people without putting them in any particular order, and then the people that put in the most effort after being waitlisted to contact them, send in additional materials, etc., were the ones that got in.

It's not boot camp. It is a college that wants to admit the best people that it possibly can. Prove to them that you have what it takes to succeed and that you want to be there. If you want it, take it.

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Listen to Keydet. Sound advice and not just for the admissions process.